NATURE CREDITS: A MECHANISM FOR ENVIRONMENTAL VALUATION AND SUSTAINABILITY
Authors: Aglaia Liopa-Tsakalidi
Aglaia Liopa-Tsakalidi: Department of Agriculture, University of Patras, Greece.
ABSTRACT
Nature credits are a transformative mechanism for valuing ecosystem services and integrating environmental considerations into economic systems. As quantifiable units tied to biodiversity conservation, they address the urgent need to protect and restore ecosystems amid the global biodiversity crisis. By recognizing the intrinsic and extrinsic values of ecosystem services—such as clean water, air purification, and climate regulation, credits provide financial incentives for stakeholders, including farmers and corporations, to invest in sustainable practices. Principles like value recognition, market-based incentives, transparency, and adaptive management underpin the effectiveness of nature credit systems. Measurement and verification are crucial for success, employing tools like Ecosystem Service Assessment and Remote Sensing. Additionally, robust governance frameworks and inclusive stakeholder engagement foster trust and facilitate trade in nature credits. As initiatives promote these credits, they create a new paradigm in conservation, linking economic development with ecological sustainability, ultimately benefiting both people and the planet.
Keywords: Nature Credits, Ecosystem Services, Biodiversity, Market Mechanisms, Stakeholder Engagement, Conservation, Governance.